Aluminum

By far the best part of this journey into art for me is the learning of new skills. When I am completely out of my depth and comfort zone and exploring a new subject, I just get so happy.

The other night we paid a visit to Buck to pick his brain about how to build the skeleton of the lobate. After a bit of discussion we decided on aluminum pipe. Last year we avoided aluminum because of the cost and the fact that no one knew how to weld it. Fortunately, we do not have any structural construction this year which will keep the cost of new materials down. However, no one in our crew knows how to weld aluminum. Perfect!

We have calculated that each of the eight lines that run the length of the lobate will be more than 40 feet. Additionally, we will have a number of ribs and stand-offs to attach the skeleton to the truck. As such, we are looking at using about 400 feet of stock.

What size? That is a good question. Buck advised that we look at the price of anything between 1′ and 1.5′. So… I go off on a pricing hunt and run into this diddy:

Pipes are passageways. Tubes are structural.
A pipe is generally measured by inside diameter or ID.(IE: You could roll a 2″ golf ball through a 2″ NOM pipe.) Tube, on the other hand, is measured by Outside Diameter. (So your golf ball would have the same O.D. as the 2″ tube.)

I found this Buyer’s Guide front he same OnlineMetals.com to be quite helpful as well.

1 comment

Jeff

Aluminum is actually pretty easy to tig weld. Once you get the hang of it, and especially if it’s not too thin. The main thing is it has to be really clean, and then buffed right before you weld it. Protecting the backside can help as aluminum can burn away if it air gets to the puddle.
Also Alco has quite a decent selection, much of it at scrap prices.